Thursday, September 26, 2013

Our friends over at Planting Seeds Records have given us 3 copies of "Death Valley Rally's" debut EP for a competition, simple to enter, simply like "Death Valley Rally's" facebook page (lnks below) and send me an e-mail address with your full name. Planting Seeds Records will be passed the names and will draw three lucky winners at random next Thursday. Good luck.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

"The Big Fame" is the second full length release from this Connecticut outfit and this release finds the band shifting up to top gear and pressing the accelerator firmly to the floor.

Carmen Champagne and Jason P Krug started the band as an outlet for suburban tales of menace that they came to recognize. Love lust and longing, addiction, poverty and lives lived online all became fuel for the duo's form or carnal rock.

With the new album the band continue to identify the oddities of modern life in society, Carmen's distinctive vocals add a somewhat haunting touch to the proceedings, which is lifted by Jason's driving acoustic guitar to a less scary place.....until you listen to the lyrics of course.

I have been a fan of The Grimm Generation since my first listen, immediately hooked onto the concept of the "Grimm Twins" (as Carmen and Jason refer to themselves) song writing and of course, with their chosen subject matter for their music, we are assured a longevity for the band and for that I am actually grateful that society is a little bit odd, well, very odd, but "Rock 'N' Roll" all the same.

I asked Carmen and Jason to pick a song off the album and tell us something exclusively about it, they chose the albums second track "The Next Indie Boy," but before we hear what they have to say, let's take a listen to the song.

The Grimm Twins on 'The Next Indie Boy'

(Jason) What we tend to write about is what we know. So were light on GeoPolitics (as we aren't especially bright) and tend to have faith in the The Sex and The Drugs and The Rock And Roll versus The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And, on occasion, we will write about each other.

(Carmen) Hmm, right...on occasion.

(Jason) 'The Next Indie Boy' was a song Carmen wrote while observing a long online break up between me and an ex. The idea was a song for the ex stating 'don't worry about it. Another singer will come along...'. Which I did not appreciate. But...it was so good. The lyrics so perfectly capture that morning/mourning after effect of a break up, when all the memories are fresh and the ex's things still fill your bedroom. More specific, the line about 'your work shirt lying around...' which I thought nailed that feeling in real time.

(Carmen) Indeed, Jason's break up was the inspiration, but it could have been me or any number of women who find they want to move on from a relationship but they just can't let go of what could have been. The gamut of emotions, from despair to indignation to flat out frustration of not being able to move on that you feel during that time runs alongside the chorus (I just can't shake it) quite nicely, I think.

(Jason) Bringing the band in to the studio for 'The Next Indie Boy', we amped it up, faster, more driving, more Rock and Roll...and came up with a sound that can't be compared to any bands I know, but purely pop music.
(Carmen) The overlay of words that Jason came up with in the bridge, the 'he says" version of the story, is just two sentences. That, to me, was delicious as it fit the dynamic of an unrequited love so wonderfully: growing the object of affection into a myth. Meanwhile, the myth already has his hands up another skirt.

(Jason) Regarding the video, its a tribute / obvious rip off of The Replacements 'Left Of The Dial' video.

(Carmen) Always go for the cheap thrill.

Contact, befriend, follow, like, love, become a part of The Grimm Generation here: Facebook

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Solicitors have a new song out which you can get free when you buy their "Made To Measure" or buy it as a seperate track.

"Quicksand" is the name of the single, something the band is obviously not standing in as this band are floating to new heights with their infectious blend of power pop and, dare I say it, becoming one of the hottest exports from the Australian music world. Check out the video and then check out more of The Solicitors.

Find the "Quicksand" track here with the other great releases from this band here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like, love and keep up with all the bands news here: Facebook

This time last year Mark Crozer and The Rels released a sterling self titled album that helped make summer feel a little bit longer with its sparkling tunes and now they have released another early autumn gem, in the shape of a 7 track mini album, that will also bring back the warmth of summer to your hearts, minds and ears.

These 7 tracks are all songs to die for, this outfit doesn't seem to put one foot out of place when it comes to making perfect pop songs.

Those of you not familiar with the name Mark Crozer may like to know that he was a member of both The Jesus and The Mary Chain and the highly acclaimed International Jetsetters and now he is finding acclaim with his own band and quite right too, this is sure to become a favourite album of many new and old fans alike.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The cool folks at Planting Seeds Records have very kindly given "Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More" 3 copies of The Young Sinclairs EP, which is due for release next week, to give away to exclusively to our readers.

All you have to do is send an e mail to me HERE (icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com)with your name and an e-mail address and like Planting Seeds record on Facebook HERE and next Wednesday September 18th we will choose 3 names from the hat and send them a copy of this fantastic EP.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Hailing from Swindon, UK, The King In Mirrors, play some poppy, jangly gems reminiscent of the style of the Go Betweens and several of the bands that featured on the Sarah label like The Field Mice, which is most apparent on the EP's third track, the brilliant "Gaurdian Angel" which could have very easily sat comfortably amongst the best releases from that band.

The band was formed in 2012 by Rich May and the mini album "The KIng In Mirrors" was released the same month the band was formed and the band are now back with the "Rolling In The Sun" EP which has four tracks of lo-fi indie, post punk pop with rough and ready guitars and great tunes for your listening pleasure.

I only became aware of this collection after blog faves The Sensibles dropped me a copy of their song that is included within the grooves and I have to say that it is an absolutely immense collection of songs from bands such as The Sensibles, Dead Ghosts, Los Vigilantes, Good Habits, Midwest Beat, Pop Zeus to mention just a few.

This is garage music at it rawest, dirtiest and most beautiful and if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, it is all FREE too!

I received a nice e mail from these guys which sums up their music, drive and influences in their own words really well....so, here they are!

"We, Sunday Guts, are a guitar pop band from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The band is primarily the music project of Billy Kilgannon (Vocals/Guitar/Programming), with collaboration from close friend Victor Berger IV (Bass/Vocals/Keyboard). We enjoy the exquisite songwriting of XTC, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Robert Pollard, The Free Design and Joe Jackson. Tegan & Sara and Wavves are some of the newer acts we like, too. Emphasis is heavy on vocal hooks, interesting chord structure, open-for-interpretation lyrics, and actual guitar "riffs". In other words, the guitar is a way to enhance the composition of the song, along with sonic reinforcement. We also laid in some string samples (the Mellotron sound) here and there, for some depth and variation.

"Leave it Go" was created by trading files over sites like Wetransfer.com. The skeleton of the songs would be arranged, and sent off to Victor. He'd add bass and a bunch of tight harmonies, then send those individual tracks back. This seems to be a standard procedure for many artists in 2013.

The high point for us is "Edge of the Universe" (track 3). We've been in bands together for a long time, and have mutual interest in each others' work. Yet, this is the first song we've ever really wrote together. Vic came up with the heart of the song, and I finished it off with a bridge and the words. We are very proud of all four songs, as well as our previous release - Grey Tipi."

Gleeson are a rock 'n' roll band with some fantastic influences like Ray Davies, Big Star, The Beatles, GBV, Queen, Superchunk and others and there are a few nods to their heroes on this album and when your influences are that great, why not and secondly, it has helped mould a really great album.

This Austin based band has taken some time in getting their songs to fruition with the ideas having been stored in a "concept warehouse" for many years, but they say the best things are worth waiting for and eventually a band was formed featuring song writer Ty Chandler and father and son Raul Vela III & IV and the songs were given the light of day....thankfully.

This is a really great album, possibly a bit long at 22 tracks, that said, they are all of excellent quality which you may not expect from such a vast collection and this listener is now off to listen to this bands back catologue too!

"Here it Comes" is the first single from this Medway Power Pop outfits 3rd album which is nearing completion and which promises to be something of another classic album from this conurbation and unitary authority in South East England that is well known for producing top quality musicians such as The Prisoners and a million Billy Childish outfits.

Theatre Royal break the mold of the punky, mod, garage band normally associated with the area and to me honest, when I read that they came from the Medway, I could almost hear the songs, or so I thought, shame on me for stereo typing! Theatre Royal are a breath of fresh Power Pop that doesn't fail but to give a fantastic audible experience.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

I was very kindly asked to make a return visit to "Mister Suave's Mod Mod World" with another guest host podcast, some of the songs crossed over onto my recent pilot podcast, but I think this one worked out a little better in terms of quality. Please check it out, share it amongst friends and check out all the great shows that Mister Suave does as well.

Contact Ice Cream Man

If you are a musician or in a band and you would like your band/music featured on the radio show, then please send me an e mail. The primary purpose of the show is to aid promotion of new bands. We look forward to hearing from you.icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com

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